Mandrel



H. H. MORAN Jan. 14, 1947.

MANDREL Filed 0G12. ll, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 14, 1947.A l H. H. MoRAN 2,414,258 i MANDBEL Filed oct. 11,1944 4 sheets-Sheet 2 M lo Y INVENTOR. H HAMILTON MORAW Jan. 14, 1947. l-ll. H. MORAN 2,414,268

MANDREL Filed oct. 11, 1944 `4 sheets-sheet s" INVEN TOR. l1'. HAM/LT ON MO/PAN Jan. 14, 1947. H H, MORA'N 2,414,268 l MANDREL 4 Filed Oct. 1l, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I nventor H HAMILTON MORA/V ydl fd, By

Patented `1an. 14, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE MANDREL Harry Hamilton Moran, Bayside, N. Y.

Application October 11, 1944, Serial No. 558,185

1o claims. 1

Vhaving an inner packaging unit or liner which is preferably adhesively joined over all or a major portion of its outer surface to the inner surface of the outer packaging receptacle, except, of course, for the filling opening. The outer unit will ordinarily be made of relatively heavy cardboard, or other semi-rigid material, Whereas the` liner is preferably formed from thin, moistureimpervious sheet material, such as regenerated cellulose, glassine paper, metal foil, or the like. In other instances, however, the outer unit may also be made from paper or other thin flexible material.

One method of forming the container of my co-pending application consists in first forming the outer unit, and then inserting the blank forming the liner element by the use of the expanding mandrel constituting the present invention. The blank may be formed simultaneous with the step of inserting the same within the outer unit, or, in some instances, it may constitute a preformed unit in the nature of a bag. The outer surface of the liner element is provided with an allover coating of some suitable adhesive, or it may have an all-over coating of a thermo-plastic or thermo-setting material, or, in some instances, the liner element may be formed from a sheet of the thermo-plastic or thermo-setting material. The formed, or partially formed, liner element is carried Iby the mandrel into the outerV unit, whereupon the mandrel expands, firmly pressing all parts of the liner element into firm adhesive engagement with the inner surface of the outei' unit, the Walls of which may be suitably supported by external pressure plates. In theevent that the thermo-plastic or thermo-setting coating or element is employed, suitable heat-transfer means will be associated with the mandrel, although in a case of ordinary adhesive, the heating element may be dispensed with.

Another method of forming the container is to first form the liner element over the mandrel while in its fully-expanded position, then forming the outer unit over the liner and rmly pressing the outer walls into engagement with the liner element, and finally retracting the walls and corner sections of the mandrel to permit easy Withdrawal of the mandrel from the finished container.

Expanding mandrels have, of course, been known, but the devices of the prior art have failed to firmly press all portions of the surface of the liner element into rm engagement with the outer unit. In the corner sections, particularly, there has been an absence of complete contact, thus causing the liner to bridge over the corner sections, causing pockets which are easily ruptured by the contents. The liner element in containers of this character is preferably a relatively thin, delicate membrane which requires the support afforded by the relatively stronger and more rigid Walls of the outer unit, and in the event that gaps or pockets occur between the two walls, even a fair measure of rough handlingv causes the inner Wall to become ruptured, and permits the contents, should they be liquid, to leak out, and, in the case of packaged frozen foods, permits oxidation of the foods and loss of moisture therefrom, which in a relatively short time considerably reduces their quality.

Some expanding mandrels of the art have provided means for properly forming the corner sections, but leave considerable gaps` between the corner sections which frequently cause as much trouble as do the pockets in the corners. The expanding mandrel of the present invention has means whereby all parts of the corner sections, as Well as the intervening side walls and bottom walls, are pressed firmly into engagement with the inner surface of the outer unit, thereby forming a completely laminated or unitary wall structure. In other words, the mandrel in its fullyexpanded position presents four continuous side Walls and a continuous bottom wall, except for minor openings adjacent the corner sections which are immaterial.

One embodiment of a mandrel of the present invention includes a frame structure made up of a plurality of superimposed frame elements suitably held together, certain of these frame elements supporting a plurality of vertical edge bars for longitudinal, reciprocating movement. Another of these frame elements supports the lower, horizontal edge bars, and still others supportthe face plates. Boxes of the character previously referred to are generally square or rectangular in horizontal section, and the vertical edge bars are journalled in the appropriate frame element-s for diagonal, reciprocating movement at an angle of 45 to the surfaces of the vertical face plates. The inner surfaces of these corner edge bars may be convexly curved, and the edges of the face plates ride around these curved surfaces during outward movement of such plates. Both the edge bars and the plates, however, are positively driven outwardly, although if the corner edge bars are convexly curved, a-s just mentioned, positive outward'd'riving movement 'of such edge bars is not necessary, since they are moved outwardly due to a camming action of the edges oi the face plates against these curved surfaces. In this case, the corner edge bars may be retracted by spring means, or other suitable means such "as the tracks interlocking with the face plates, or stops connected with the edge bars activated by retraction of the face plates.

The mandrel is further formed with lower, horizontal edge bars which may also be formed withconcave surfaces, such lower edge bars being carried .at theiriermnals by `the corner, ,edge bars., A bottom face plate is caused to move downwardly bya positive drive, and if desired, such downward movement may be the sole, means for, moving. A the horizontal corner edge bars out- ,vvarlly. l O f importance i n the present invention is lthelfact ,that theverticaledge bars and the lower, horizontal edge .bars V move i to their full downwardv position-before any outward'movement of any of, the edgebars or faceplates occurs., In some `of the devicesfof .the prior art, outward movement of certain of -the portions of the mandrel is accompanied by downward movement as well, which vtendsto tearithe liner and destroy i eipandi'ng' mandrel Of the Present invention the section 'being taken von line I-I of Fig. 2.

VFig. 2'isa horizontal section taken on line "Fig. 3 lis a horizontal section taken on line .3f-#Bof Fig. 1,"such view showing only the vertical edge bars and face plates.

's Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, perspective view, partially in s'ectiongtaken on line 4-f4 of Fig. 2.

r' Fig. 5` is a vbroken'perzrspective view showing the relation ofthe verticaledge bars tothe horizrontal edge bars.

, Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the frame lelement which supports and causes outward movement of the vertical face plates.

'7 is a bottom plan view of such frame element.

Fig.8 is a brokenA perspective View showing "one ofthe terminals'of the Vframe element illustratedinFigsand '7.

, Fig `9'is a fragmentary,'perspective view'of the Y,upper corner section of the top plateand a vertical'edgefbar,

Fig; 10 isa perspective view 'of' the upper terin'inalofan edge bar.

" Fig. iris a fragmentaryj permessi/@view 'of jtically-reciprocating plunger.

the impelling shaft is threaded, as shown at I6,

an edge bar showng an alternative method of retracting the Vertical edge bars.

Figs. 12 and 13 show another alternative method of retracting the vertical edge bars.

The mandrel of the present invention includes a plurality of vertical edge bars lll, a plurality of horizontal edge bars H, vertical face plates l2. and I3, and a bottom face plate M. The lforegoing elements are supported in a frame structure which is carriedvv at the lower endiof animpelling shaft l5 which may be carried by a suitable ver- The lower end of and receives an internally-threaded collar l1 t which carries an externally-threaded block I8 at itslowerend, the several frame elements be ing secured to su'ch block. Frame elements 2t and 22 support the vertical face plates l2 and i3, and frame elements 23 and 24 support the verticaledge bars |07. AV filler block 25 of anysuitfable depth may be carriedbetween frame elements 23mm. i.

Y 'Block l8is formed with a'pluralityof apertures 2 which receive headed bolts 128 which pass through aligned apertures 29 in the Vseveral frame elementsandthe filler block. The apertures in lowerjframemelement 2l are threaded, as shown at 3Q, .fwhich' receive 'the lower threaded terminal of bolts' 28. Ii? desired, of course, a nut could be placedatthe rlower end of the bolts to engage the lower suriaoelofuframe element 2l. Additional support forthe `frame structure is afforded by' m eans y off abolt 33 which is threaded at itsupper end, and carriesa nut l34 positioned .between Vthe upperend of block` I8 and the lower end oi" imp elling shaf`t V1d. This bolt passes through aligned apertures 35 in the several frame elements, theA lowersend` ofthe bolt being 'thread- V``ed,`as`,shoW1fl lati 35; and being l received within a threaded 'openingljin frame element 23. i

It was pointed Youtthatjrame elements 23 and 24 support. the; verticaledgebars l0. A top plan view of frame element 23 is illustrated in Fig,r2, and is formed with` diagonal extensions 40 having 4v ertical'slots 4l therein'whichiorm bifurcatedY supports, Awhich receive inner extensions `42 of :the vertical yedge'loars fl 0. j These extensions may v.baiormed integrally with the edge bars,4 as indi-- Vcated in Fig,l '4. orvtheyfmaybe'welded or other- Ywise vsecuredthereto. vBifurcated'supports 40 are provided with aligned curved slots 44 having the. `coifitour illustratedin Fig.` 4, although they may, if "desired, have'straightsides and be positioned atl an angle to ,the vertical. kEach extension 42 carries a pinjiwhich is-positioned within such slots 44, 'I tfw'ill be seenjfromfthe foregoing that `when the lower terminals of vertical edge bars lunare( moved v downwardly "through downward movement'of impellling shaft l5 to a pointwhere they engage the'lower walls oi the inner and outer" package elements, L 'they cease any iurther downward movement, but further downward movement et thefimpelling lshaft causes the pin 'as te ride yupwardly' relative to 51015144, thusproducingoutwardit'ravel ,Oiihe edge bars- At its yupper and.; the' mandrel .is'provided .with a cap 48 having at eachwcorner thereof an elongated slot 49. ""A pm750, shownI in detail in Fig. 10, which is carried at the upperv end oi edge bar Il), passes through slot lilly and iorms aI sliding connection between the/edgev b ar and cap 48. fThis'p-in is generallyrecftangular in transverse section, andis provided [with a head 5I which en" ages the upper 'surface of 'cap '48,

'It"`"w'as' :earlier pointed; out 'thatedge bars lll are formed with convexly-curved inner surfaces 52. This surface may, if desired, be straight, thus providing an edge bar which is triangular in transverse section, or it might be an angled plate. By providing the convexly-curved surface, however, there is a cooperation between outward movement of the face plates I2 and I3, and such edge bars, as will be pointed out more in detail hereinafter. The opposed, vertical edges of the face plates are bevelled, as shown at 53.

Plates I2 and I3 are supported in frame elements 2| and 22, which are shown in detail in Figs. 6, 7 and 8. Such frame elements are formed with right-angular extensions 55 having terminal portions 56 of reduced width, such extensions being shorter at their upper ends than at their lower ends by providing a diagonal wall 51, shown clearly in Fig. 8. Such extensions are provided with diagonal slots 58 which receive pins 59 carried by bifurcated extensions 60 secured to, or formed integrally with, face plates I2 and I3. The upper surface of each horizontal edge bar I I is fiat, as shown at 63, and the lower edge 54 of face plates I2 and I3 rides outwardly on such upper surfaces. It will accordingly be seen that after the lower terminals of vertical edge bars I0 have reached their maximum downward position, and further downward travel of the frame structure causes outward movement of the vertical edge bars, such movement is accompanied by conjoint outward movement o-f face plates I2 and I3 due to the cam action of slots 58 acting against pins 59, and the outer, vertical edges 65 of the bevelled surfaces 53 of face plates I2 and I3 ride outwardly on the curved surface 52 of vertical edge bars I0.

The means for mounting and actuating the horizontal edge bars II will now be described. Outer surface 0l and lower surface 6B of each edge bar II lie at right angles to each other, and the inner edge |59 is convexly curved up to the point "I0, and thereabove, edge II may be substantially straight and inclined outwardly. At each end thereof, edge bar is formed with a horizontal bore 14 which receives a horizontal pin 15 rigidly carried adjacent the lower end of each vertical edge bar l0. It will accordingly be seen that as vertical edge bars I0 travel diagonally outwardly, they carry with them horizontal edge bars I I, and such outward movement of edge bars I I is aided by downward movement of lower face plate I4, which will now be described.

A post or stud 'I8 is mounted centrally on the upper surface of lower face plate I4, and at its upper end is provided with a horizontal aperture 'I9 which receives a pin 80 which travels in a short, vertical slot 8| in an aperture 82 in frame element 23. A coiled spring 89 carried concentrically of stud I8 urges face plate I4 downwardly. It will accordingly be seen that stud 'I8 is movable upwardly relative to aperture 82 against the compression of spring 86. The marginal edge 90 of lower face plate I4 is bevelled, and normally engages the inclined edge 'II of horizontal edge bar II, as shown in Fig. 1. When vertical edge bars I0 and horizontal edge bars have initially moved downwardly to their maximum position, the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1. Further downward travel of the impelling shaft causes vertical edge bars |0 to move outwardly, as previously described, thus also drawing horizontal edge bars I I outwardly, and such movement is aided by downward movement of face plate I4 due to spring 86.

When the mpelling shaft is moved downwardly to a point wherein the lower terminal 9 I of clongated pin 33 engages the upper terminal-92 of stud 18, further downward movement causes the stud to be driven positively downwardly to a point wherein the lower surface of horizontal face plate I4 engages the bottom wall of the container. When the parts are fully retracted, end walls 94 of horizontal edge bars II are in contact with Walls 95 formed at the lower end of vertical edge bars I0. In order to accommodate the corner sections of bottom plate I4, the lower terminal of each vertical edge bar I0 is formed with a curved surface 96 on each inner side thereof, such curved surface forming a continuation of curved surface 59, and a substantially square, cut-out portion 91, all as shown in Fig. 5.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that as the Vertical and horizontal edge bars I0 and II, respectively, move outwardly to their expanded position, the edges of lower plate I4 ride downwardly over surfaces 96 in vertical edge bars |0, as well as surfaces 69 in horizontal edge bars II. In fully expanded position, there will be a slight gap between walls 94 and 95, although this is immaterial from a practical point of view, since the heat, in case of the heated element, will bridge over such a small area, and in the case of' wet adhesive, suicient pressure is applied to the area during outward movement of the parts to effectively adhere the two wall sections together.

In the event that the thermo-plastic or thermo-setting material is to be employed, the inner surfaces of the several plates may have heating elements affixed thereto, such as is shown at |00 in the case of side plate I2, and |0| in the case of bottom plate I4. No details of the construction of such heating elements are shown, for the reason that this construction is well known in the art. Also, if desired, heating elements may be associated with the vertical and horizontal edge bars.

In forming a container of the type previously described, it will be appreciated that the liner element will extend above the outer packaging unit proper. Whether or not any portion of this liner is to be adhesively secured to the closure flaps at the upper end of the container is a matter of choice. In any event, in most instances the overlapping seams in the liner unit may extend from the lower end of the container upwardly on two opposed side walls, such as the side walls engaged by opposed side wall plates I2. It will, accordingly, be necessary to apply heat and/ or pressure to that portion of such seams as extend above the container, and not, however, to apply heat and/ or pressure to those portions of the side walls of the liner lying on opposite sides of the seams. In order to accomplish this result, the upper ends of plates I2 may have inwardly-set portions |04, and a central portion |05 which is substantially planar with the balance of the outer surface of such plates I2. This will leave recesses |06 on opposite sides of central portion |05 which will not engage the surface of the liner element, although central portion |05 will engage such element at the overlapping seams, firmly compressing such seams between portions |05 and the outer pressure plates which engage the outer surfaces of the outer unit. The cap 48 may have downwardly-extending flanges |01 which limit outward movement of side plates I2 and. I3.

A compression spring I 08, carried concentrically of shaft I5, engages plate 48 at its lower end, and a stop pin (not shown) further 'up shaft I5. This spring retains the plates and edge bars in retracted positionr until further downward afknae'esmovement ofthe. shaft occurs. v The spring also acts to .retainthe mandrel in downward position as the. shaft starts its upward movement, thus preventingupward movement of the ,side `plates and edge bars until the same are retracted.A If, on the other hand, aretracting, as distinguished from an expanding, mandrel isdesired, the spring will normally be under tension by securing Vthe spring at its lower end to the cap, and to the pin at its upper end, the spring in this instance being somewhat shorter than the compression spring.

Referring to Fig. 1, it willbe noted that the outer surface of central Yportion I05 is on the same plane as the balance of the outer surface of plate I2. In some instances, it may be desirable, however, to etch, machine, Yor otherwise reduce outer surface I 05 -an amount equal to the thickness of the liner material. Also, at the lower end of the container wherein four thicknesses of the material are in overlapping relation, it will be desirable to etch the surface lying adjacent to such overlapping portions an amount equal to three thicknesses of the liner material. Also, in the event that windows are formed in the outer container, appropriate openings may be made in the side plates-adjacent to such openings.

In the modified form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 12, the vertical edge bar I I is carried solely by adjacent side plates I II, and, in this instance, some form of trackway, such as is shown at- II2, is carried by, or is formed integrally with, the vertical edge bar I I 0. This trackway is curved, as shown, and is received Within an appropriately-formed opening I I3 formed in each side plate III. When in retracted position, the bevelled edge II4 of plate III engages the similar bevelled edge of the adjacent plate, and inward movement of the face plates III brings with them the edge bars IIO into retracted position. As platesl IIImoVe outwardly tov expanded position, edge bars IIO likewise move outwardly.

Another modied rconstruction which accomplishes substantiallythe esame result is illustrated in Figs. l2 and 13, wherein edge bar I I6 is formed at its inner surface with a curved extension I II, a shank I I8, and stop members I I9. In this case, side plates |20 have bevelled edges: I2I; and in retracted position, the parts occupy the relation shown in Fig. 12. As platesA |20y move outwardly, such outward movement is imparted to thepvertical edge bars I I6, and thus bring the outer faces of plates I 20 intov thesame plane as the outer faces of edge bar H6 when in lfully expanded position.

The expanding or contracting mandrel ofthe present invention has beenil'lustrated inthe drawings, particularly in Fig. 1, as being vertically movable on a suitable support or impelling shaft I5.` In'many instances, however, it will be desirable .to have the mandrel horizontally movable rather than vertically.` For convenience,

in the appended claims the shaft and the framestructure will sometimes be dened asbeing vertically movable, although it is to be clearly understood that such reference does not precludethe possibility that the structure otherwise dened in such claims may be horizontally movable rather than vertically, should this be desired.

It was earlier pointed out that one of the principal objects of the invention was to provide a novel mandrel wherein the movement ofV the side and bottom plates to expanded position trailed movement of the corner-bars toexpanded position.- It "will be -appreciated from-the foregoing description vthatmany .advantages accrue fromv such an arrangement.` For instance, when the parts of the mandrel are still in retracted position,.there will be` a considerable air spaced between-the side-and bottom plates and the walls ofthe liner element, and, accordingly, the thermally-active coating will not begin to be activated until the plates have movedto expanded posi-2 tion. Also, the fact that the edge bars move outwardly before the plates permits the corners of the liner element to be moved to final position before any pressure is exerted against the side walls due to the action of the side plates. This arrangement also prevents the possibility ofsealing the vertical seams 44 before the mandrel is fully expanded.

The initial expansion action caused by outward movement of the edge bars permits the liner to slip around them, and, accordingly, position all parts of the liner element in proper relation to the outer .packaging unit. This .is especially important in cases wherein the thermally-active materials are used. Since the edge bars are in contact with the liner element before the side walls move to expanded position, these edge bars are in contact with the liner element for a longer period of time, and thus permit a lower degree of heat in the edge bars. In other words, thermal activa.- tion of the side wall portions of the liner element is delayed until all parts of such element are in proper position. This also permits a higher degree of heat to be used in the side plates, and consequently produces a faster laminating cycle than if the same heat is maintained asis maintained in the edge bars. No heating element is shown which is directly associatedwith the edge bars,"

and, in most instances, heat transfer from the side plates to such edge bars is sufficient. Nevertheless, heating elements may be carried on the.

edge bars.

Whether the mandrel of the present invention is employed as an expanding or a contracting device, Ythe operation is substantially the same,- except for the rearrangement of the spring |08 previously noted.. Itis important to note thatat the end. of either operation, and when the parts of the mandrel are contracted for removal, there is no movement of any part in the naturel of a wiping action against the-walls of the liner.v Such a wiping action has accounted for bad results in the form of pin holes, tears, ruptures, and the like, in the prior mandrels of this general type. In the present mandrel, the side and bottom walls moveY perpendicular to the walls of the liner, and the edge bars leave the walls of the liner directly even though diagonally.`

The particular contour of slots 44 and 58 isof course, -a matter of choice, and this contour may bevaried to suit different conditions, .IAls'o, the upper slots may have one contour and the lower slots another, all for thei purpose of' retracting the upperorl the lower end of the side plates orv vertical edge bars more rapidly .than the opposite end.

While one form or embodiment of the invention has beenshown and described herein" for'illustrative purposes, and the construction and arrangement incidental to a specic applicationv thereof` have been disclosed and discussed in detail, itis to bej understood that the invention is limited neither to the mere details or relative arrangement of parts, nor to its specic embodiment shown herein, but` that: extensive deviations from the illustrated formzor emtodiment'oftheeinven-j 9` tion may be made without departing from the principles thereof.` What I claim is:

1. An expanding mandrel for adhesively pressing a box liner in contact with the box, comprising a frame, a vertically-reciprocable supporting means for the frame, a plurality of vertical edge bars carried by the frame and being movable outwardly to expanded position in a direction diagonally of the frame, lower edge bars and side plates carried by the frame and being outwardly movable at right angles to the frame, and a bottom plate being downwardly movable along with movement of the side plates, the mandrel pron viding substantially unbroken side and bottom Walls when the parts are in expanded position, and cam meansl for moving the bars and plates to expanded position upon downward movement of the supporting means after the edge bars have been lowered to box-engaging position.

2. A mandrel of the character described comprising a frame, means for supporting the frame, a plurality of vertical edge bars and lower, horizontal edge bars, a plurality of side plates carried between the vertical edge bars, and a bottom plate carried between the horizontal edge bars, the frame being provided with means for supporting the bars and plates for reciprocating movement, cam means for moving the vertical edge bars diagonally outwardly relative to the frame and for moving the side plates and the horizontal `edge bars outwardly in a direction at right angles to the frame during outward movement of the Vertical edge bars, and means for simultaneously moving the bottom plate downwardly.

3. An expanding mandrel of the character described comprising a frame, means for supporting the frame, a vertical edge bar at each corner of the frame and a lower, horizontal edge bar on each side of the frame, side plates carried intermediate of the vertical edge bars, and a bottom plate carried intermediate of the horizontal edge bars, cam means for moving the vertical edge bars diagonally outwardly, means for moving the side plates and the horizontal edge bars outwardly in a direction at right angles to the frame during outward movement of the vertical edge bars, and means for moving the bottom plate downwardly.

4. In an expanding mandrel for lining boxes, the combination of a frame, means for supporting the frame and for lowering it into box-engaging position, a bottom plate which is movable downwardly and a plurality of side plates which are movable outwardly at right angles to the bottom plate, all carried by the frame, a plurality of vertical edge bars movable outwardly diagonally of the frame to form, when the side plates and vertical edge bars are in expanded position, unbroken side walls, and a plurality of lower, horizontal edge bars which are movable outwardly at right angles to the frame upon outward movement of the vertical edge bars, cam means carried by the frame for moving the side plates and vertical edge bars outwardly, upon further downward movement of the supporting means, and means carried by the frame for moving the bottom plate downwardly to box-engaging position.

5. In an expanding mandrel for lining boxes, the combination of a frame, a vertically-reciprocable supporting element for the frame, a plurality of elements carried by the frame including side plates movable outwardly at right angles to the frame, a bottom plate movable downwardly,

vertical edge bars movablel outwardly diagonally of the frame to form, when the side plates and vertical edge bars are in expanded position, unbroken side walls, and a plurality of lower, horizontal edge bars carried by the vertical edge bars and being movable outwardly at right angles to the frame upon outward movement of the vertical edge bars, cam means carried by the frame for moving the side plates and vertical edge bars outwardly after the latter have been moved downwardly to engagement with` the lower wall of the box, and means carried by the frame for moving the bottom plate downwardly to a point wherein its lower surface is planar with the lower surface of the horizontal edge bars.

6. In'an expanding mandrel for lining boxes, the combination of a frame, a vertically-reciprocable supporting element for the frame, a bote tom plate which is movable downwardly and a plurality of side plates which are movable outwardly at right angles t'o the bottom plate, a plurality of vertical edge bars movable outwardly diagonally of the frame to form, when the side plates and vertical edge bars are in expanded position, unbroken side walls, and a plurality of lower, horizontal edge bars which are movable outwardly at right angles to the frame upon outward movement of the vertical edge bars, journal means carried by the frame for supporting the bars and plates during outward and inward movement, cam means for moving the side plates and horizontal edge bars outwardly afterl the latter have been moved downwardly to box-engaging position, and means carried by the frame for moving the bottom plate downwardly to boxengaging position.

7. A mandrel of the character described for laminating boxes, comprising a frame, side and bottom plates journalled in the frame for reciprocating movement substantially at right angles to the frame, vertical edge bars journalled in the frame for reciprocating movement diagonally of the frame to form continuous side walls for the mandrel when the parts are in expanded position, and lower, horizontal edge bars carried at the lower terminals of the vertical edge bars and being outwardly movable upon outward movement of the latter, supporting means for the frame for lowering such frame into boxengaging position, cam means carried by the frame for moving the, side plates and edge bars outwardly, and means for moving the bottom plate downwardly.

8. A heated mandrel of the character described for laminating boxes, comprising a frame, side and bottom plates journalled in the frame for reciprocating movement substantially :at right angles to the frame, Vertical edge bars journalled in the frame for reciprocating movement diagonally of the frame to form continuous side walls for the mandrel when the parts are in expanded position, heating elements associated with the side and bottom plates, and lower, horizontal edge bars carried at the lower terminals of the vertical edge bars and being outwardly movable upon outward movement of the latter, supporting means for the frame for lowering such frame into box-engaging position, cam means carried by the frame for moving the side plates and edge bars outwardly, such cam means being actuable by further downward movement of the supporting means, and a spring carried by the latter for normally holding the parts in retracted position, and means for moving the bottom plate downwardly.

9. ,An expanding mandrel for adhesively press` ,a4-mees 1.1 ing a Vbox liner in r,contact,with. the box comprising` a iframe, a vertically-reciprocable l supporting v,meansofor .the frame.a plurality of vertical edge bars-carried by .the frame andbeing movable out- ,wardly-to ,expandedposition in a direction diagonelly/,vof the frame,-,lower edgebars carried by thevertioalledge bars. and side plates carried. by the frame and'being outwardly movable at. right angles to the irame, the vertical edge .bars b eing formed-Withtwo .liner-engaging edges joinedvby ath-1rd, oonveXly-eurved edgeL the opposed. vertical. edges .of theV side lplates engaging such` convexly-eurvedgedse during outward movement, thus mov-ine. saidedeefbars outwardlm; a: bottom plate being Idowmzvatdlv .movable v along Vwith v movement yof the Side plate/.Sz and,y cam Ameans .ier

inovngttbe,. sidenlatesto,expandedmsition, 11ponV downwardamevement. of .,thefesupporting, means afterotheaedeefbars have roeaehedthe lowermost positiom1 saidsunporbng means moving thebottom:v Plate downwardly.

10.,An expanding and contractingvmandrel for making boxes and the like, such mandrel: comprising a frame, a plurality of vertical edgefbar's carriedfby the frame and being movable outwardly to expandedposition in a'direction-dago'- nally of the frame, lower edge bars and?.` side plates carried by the. frame and being voutwardly movable generally` at right angles to the frame, andra. bottom plate being downwardly movable along with outward movement of; the side plates, the mandrel providing substantially unbroken side and bottom, Walls when the -pantsareeinexpandeclposition vertically-reciprocable means-for supporting the, frame;V and means connecting the framev withthe outwardly. and-,downwardly moya, bleiparts' .for moving. suon parts izo-expandediposit-.1011. after the mandrel, ,has reachedits. lower,- most position.

HAMILTON'MORAN. 

